Bootman Interviews Sunman!

Posted by: bootman

bootman: First off, congratulations on a great season. As many people know, shortly after the loss to OPTX, the Venom team returned back home. What have you been up to since returning back to Pennsylvania last week?.

sunman: I have just been taking it easy, visiting friends and having fun. Now, we're getting ready for CEVO playoffs this weekend.

bootman: Let's talk about the Source team for a minute here. At the beginning of the season, you guys had a rough start with a 1-3 record, and vastly improved on that. After losing three of the first four matches of the season with two going into overtime and one being a 10-8 loss, how confident were you guys for the rest of the season?

sunman: Even though our shot at individuals was slipping at that point we were worrying more about the franchise. Two of those loses were franchise loses too, so we knew we had to pick it up and fix what needed to be fixed in order to start winning.

bootman: You were drafted to the team weeks before the season started. Do you think that the short amount of play time with the team was the reason for the slow start or was it something else?

sunman: I don't think it's to blame really, but our slow start really woke us up fast. After that, we kicked it in to gear the rest of the season.

bootman: How confident were you guys throughout the season that you would be able to snag the individual world finals spot over team 3D?

sunman: When we started the season at 1-3 I'm not going to lie, I thought about the individual spot being a lot harder to get at that point. Then we started our 8 game win streak for the season ending the season 9-3. About half way through the season was when it looked more and more possible.

bootman: The Dallas Venom Source team of 2008 was able to go on the second longest win streak in the league (aside from OPTX's Vanessa) with 12 straight wins that landed you the individual world championship. With that many games won in a row, was the team at all worried about when their next loss would come and how crucial it would be?

sunman: Nobody really said anything about it. At the point we were at when we had the streak, any loss could hurt us. The match that ended our streak happened to be first round world finals versus the OPTX.

bootman: Last year you played with Chicago during the regular season, and one of your opponents was the Dallas Venom's Source team who finished in last place. Since you played against them, and now are a part of the team, what do you think were the major differences in the two rosters that lead the team to such success this year?

sunman: Everyone on the team gives a lot of heart and dedication, stack on that skill and experience, toss in a little chemistry and some headshots and you have yourself a team.

bootman: Now onto the bad memories. In the North American final vs. the Core, the Source team was put in a very tough position as you had to win 13-5 in order to win the overall match. You guys were actually up 11-3 after the fifth round of the second half, but only won 12-6. That kind of score is tough to come by, and you guys had a lot of pressure on you. How disappointed was the Source team after that match? Or were you content with 12-6 still being a big win?

sunman: That match was for NA finals and it came down to one round in the end just like last year. Last year we won 13-5 though. We were semi disappointed just because it was so close and in our reach though.

bootman: Dallas had a few divisions that fans loved to see come down to the last match, because it almost guaranteed a victory for the team, and the Source team was one of them. In your honest and personal opinion, what do you think happened in that last match against OPTX where they were able to come back and win after you won the first half 6-3?

sunman: Some of us just played really bad. There isn't really any excuses, things just went wrong in the match that shouldn't have. It just sucks it was for such an important match. OPTX played well though.

bootman: Continuing with the OPTX match. I don't know if many people realized this, but when you played them in the first round of the World Final on de_dust2, it was your third consecutive match on the map. Do you believe that this may have been a disadvantage to the team as the OPTX was able to spectate each of your matches on the map before you played them?

sunman: I think it was more of a disadvantage having to play OPTX first round regardless of map. We did have some time to get ready for our match though, like I said, we just played bad in the end.

bootman: In your opinion, who was the toughest Source team that you had to play this season?

sunman: We've had some good run-ins with coL early in the season and then Salvo post-season.

bootman: I know if I asked you who was better at Source, North Americans or Europeans, you would probably dodge my question. So let me ask you this. Tactically, what do you think the main differences are between North American style play, and all the other regions?

sunman: I think North Americans are better at source, at the moment. I won't dodge it ;). NA play style is a lot more aggressive it seems. While Europe is still playing more of a slow style most of the time.

bootman: Now let's get to talking about the Venom team as a whole The Dallas Venom were one of most tightly knit teams of the league during the season, but had the least amount of players returning from season one. What was it about the team as a whole that brought everyone so close from the start to finish of the season?

sunman: Everyone on Venom has the drive and passion to win. We all knew after our first few loses how much we hated losing. Everyone stayed positive and kept a level head regardless of their record.

bootman: It's time to get a little emotional with it. After spending a little more than a month with these people, say the first thing that comes to your mind to describe each of your teammates...AND LET'S START WITH JAX!

JaX (General Manager) - Alex is a great guy, always one to make people laugh and crack jokes when we're hanging out. When it's time for business, he doesn't mess around though and he loves to win.

Source Team

Josh “Dominator” Sievers - I've been on teams with Josh for years. Whether he's climbing to the 2nd floor of the balcony cause he left his key in the room and was too lazy to knock, or breaking mice on the sidewalk, he's always fun to hang out with. Team captain of Venom this year, he is a good leader and motivator as well.

David “zid” Chin - Baby zid.. Great leader in-game and also a member of the late room (with kyle). This fool eats his subway before he sets up his gear in the practice room.

Kyle “Mustang” Cummings - Kyle "and that's how it's done" Cummings. Great hanging out with kyle all summer, he also has some excellent one liners (not on purpose half the time) that makes everyone laugh. For only knowing Kyle for the length I've been on Venom, he has been a great friend and teammate.

Eric “brawwr” Neer - Even though he only brought his Xbox right before we left, we still had a good time eating his mom's cookies :). Always good for a laugh with Eric and he'll AWP you're face off.

Dead or Alive 4

Manny “Master” Rodriguez - Manny is a cool guy to hang out with, great job this season Manny. b00000000000000000000000000m!~ :P

Michelle “Phoenix” Pleet - Michelle is really cool. What can I say, she beat Vanessa twice in her first season, only way from here is up. Keep on raping noobs.

Forza Motorsport 2

Kevin “CHA0S” Parrish - Kevin had a really good season with some nice race winning take outs.

Justin “MuffinMan” Anderson - I met Muffin by chance on the airplane going to CGS. He also eats a lot of sugar and such :P Good games this year Justin.

FIFA 08

Bardia “Barmoa” Moayedi - Bardia is really cool, he hung out with the CS team a lot and we got to know him pretty well. Keep him away from food on tables and DOTA :P Good season dude.

Your Favorite Staff Members

Bobby “weenus” Hicks - I expect many more Top Gun high fives from you my boy.

Chris “bootman” Boutté - Even though he gets me to do interviews everyday and climb over balconies to open doors (I didn't do it by the way), Chris is an alright guy. :P

bootman: Great answers! Now quick. Which one of my articles is your favorite? Just kidding. But here's a tough question for you. After growing such close bonds with everyone throughout the season, is it tough being able to only see most of your team once a year?

sunman: We still keep in contact online and I see my CS team at LANs, the bonds hold till next season though :P.

bootman: Following up on that question. With all of the team scattered all over the country, and the fact that you all play four different games, realistically the only people you'll probably see until the next combine are your Source team and JaX, and maybe me if you're lucky. Do you think that the CGS should have smaller events throughout the year to keep teamwork and companionship high during the offseason? Or maybe even fly everyone out for one big Christmas party or some sort of gathering like that?

sunman: I think they need more regular smaller tournaments so teams can guage how well they are progressing during the year. Maybe an annual off-season double elimination tourney, maybe all individual.

bootman: Now, outside of the actual matches, what is your most memorable experience of the 2008 season? Whether it was hanging out with the other regions, going to the beach, or just hanging out in the apartment picking up bad habits from Dominator? What event stands out the most of them all during your stay?

sunman: There's too many to mention. One time this bum walked up to us when we were at a burger joint, asking for money. Stating our fathers gave us 20 dollars for lunch, and, he would die if he didn't eat. He wound up walking away, don't worry he looked healthy. Or the one time we were at a feature shoot in downtown LA. We were standing outside on the street and these two drunks walk up asking for some change so they could buy some booze. The one starts singing this song about booze, which was rather catchy yet corny, then eventually they walked away. Those moments stick out more than others for some reason, maybe cause there aren't many bums where I live.

bootman: Back to the CGS season. There were a lot of surprises this season. As a CGS veteran, what was the biggest shocker to you? Some examples are coL’s performance, Chicago and Carolina during the regular season, Carolina’s bounce back to win the North American final, Phoenix beating Vanessa twice, or anything else you can think of. What surprised you the most this season?

sunman: I thought coL was going to be a lot better than they were as a franchise. Also, Vanessa losing twice (go Michelle). Last but not least, Core made playoffs and won.

bootman: What are your predictions for the World Final between San Francisco and Birmingham? And don’t think I’m letting you off easy either, I want score predictions!

Dead or Alive 4

Male: 5-1 OPTX
Female: 5-2 OPTX

FIFA 08: 1-0 OPTX

Counter-Strike: Source: 11-7 SALVO (Don't know the map)

Forza Motorsport 2

1st: DaveySkills
2nd: miximup
3rd: Picaso
4th: SACKAMO

5-2 SALVO

Sunman's overall prediction: 21-20 OPTX

bootman: What are the Source team's plans for the off-season? The CEVO playoffs are starting this weekend, but are there any other events you guys are gearing up for?

sunman: I think we're planning to attend any large LANs that come in the next few months. We're just going to keep a practice schedule.

bootman: That brings up another interesting question. We recently saw team compLexity make a return to 1.6 during the off-season. As far as the Venom goes, both brawwr and mustang come from a strictly source background for the most part, but inquiring minds want to know if you guys have made any thought towards making the same move?

sunman: I guess we have to make a decision regarding that topic soon enough. It's possible I suppose, but not likely. :P

bootman: It's a small known fact that outside of practicing Counter-Strike: Source with the team or in pikcup games, you enjoy a little game called DotA. What is your favorite hero in the game and why?

sunman: Omniknight is one of my favorites because his slow aura and heal :). More of a support character but can get buff.

bootman: Alright Justin, thank you for your time. Do you have any last shoutouts for the people out there? And what can we expect from the Dallas Venom in 2009?

sunman: Well you saw what happened from Season 1-2 hopefully 2-3 and beyond will just bring better things. Shoutout to all my fans, all my family members cheering me on, and my girlfriend for being there for me.